WWI Wrecks

Gallery of underwater images of HMS Nottingham

Royal Navy warship HMS Nottingham lost for 110 years discovered in North Sea

After over a century of searching, the wreck of HMS Nottingham, a British First World War light cruiser, has been located and positively identified in the North Sea. The discovery was made by an international team of technical divers from ProjectXplore, bringing closure to a long-standing naval mystery and commemorating a vessel lost during a pivotal moment in naval history.

Photogrammetric reconstruction of the submarine USS F-1 showing the conning tower and collision damage that caused the sub to sink.

World War I US Submarine Rendered in 3D

On 17 December 1917, USS F-1 collided with its sister ship, USS F-3, off the coast of San Diego during a training exercise in dense fog. The impact caused the F-1 to sink within ten seconds, resulting in the loss of 19 crew members. A mere five sailors survived the incident. The submarine now rests approximately 1,300ft (~396m) beneath the Pacific Ocean.

Postcard showing HMS Stephen Furness, from an unknown publisher

World War I Warship HMS Stephen Furness Discovered in Irish Sea

A team of researchers has successfully identified the wreck of HMS Stephen Furness, a WWI armed steamer, off the coast of the Isle of Man. Sunk by a German U-boat in 1917, the vessel has remained an enduring mystery, with the wreck recently pinpointed as part of Bangor University's “Towards a National Collection” project.

SS Cheltenham, later known as SS Topol, in a 20th-century photo by an unknown photographer. (Photo credit: © Sunderland Museums / Bridgeman Images / via press release)

WWI Shipwreck Found in North Sea Could Be SS Tobol

The SS Tobol was originally built as the SS Cheltenham in Sunderland in the early 20th century. The vessel featured a distinctive turret deck design and was operated by a British steamer company. In 1904, Russian warships seized the ship, and it was later transferred to the Russian Imperial Navy, where it was renamed SS Tobol after the Tobol River in Russia.

HMS Hawke, launched in 1891, was an Edgar-class protected cruiser.

Wreck of WWI Cruiser HMS Hawke Found in “Amazing” Condition

HMS Hawke was discovered earlier this week after an extensive search by Lost in Waters Deep—a group that searches for WWI shipwrecks—about 70 miles off the Aberdeenshire coast. It was found to be in "remarkable" condition, lying at a depth of around 110 metres (360ft).

WRECKS4ALL 2.0 Conference

The Adriatic Sea holds a wealth of underwater archaeological sites, from ancient shipwrecks to submerged archaeological landscapes. With the increasing interest in maritime cultural heritage, there is a growing need for responsible and sustainable management of these precious resources. 

The conference titled "The Future of the Adriatic Past - Challenges of the Adriatic Underwater Cultural Heritage for Sustainable Tourism Development" will take place on April 23, 2024, at Hotel Cattaro in Kotor.

Hospital Ships: Casualties of WWI

Lanfranc is a huge wreck that needs several dives to fully appreciate. Photo by Steve Jones.

In World War I, unrestricted warfare meant ships that were traditionally off limits became targets for surprise attacks by German U-boats. Steve Jones visits two of the most endearing wrecks in the English Channel that were a direct result of this highly controversial policy.

USS Ommaney Bay (CVE-79) underway off Hawaii with lifts lowered, July 1944
USS Ommaney Bay (CVE-79) underway off Hawaii with lifts lowered, July 1944

WWII carrier USS Ommaney Bay located in the Philippines

In a significant move, the United States Navy has confirmed the identity of a sunken World War II aircraft carrier in the Sulu Sea as the USS Ommaney Bay.

The carrier, which met its demise in 1945, was sunk by a devastating kamikaze attack during the ferocious battles of the Pacific Theater. Through meticulous examination and research, the navy has now shed light on the final resting place of this legendary warship.